Homeless Canada’s Post

Did you know that more than four million youth, ages 13-25, experience homelessness in America in a year? Or that youth who are Black and LGBTQ+ reported homelessness at the highest rates? Learn more about the issues fueling youth homelessness and what you can do to address the root causes of homelessness in our new Youth Homelessness Guide: https://buff.ly/3ZDmSJ8.

Thank you to the team at Depaul UK for such a thought-provoking lunchtime webinar on 'Preventing Youth Homelessness through the National Schools Programme'. During the webinar we learned that: - The experience of homelessness can disrupt or derail the future of a young person - It's important for young people to understand what homelessness is because if they can't recognise/don't understand it, then they won't be able to seek the appropriate support if they experience homelessness themselves - Films are a great way of helping students to understand the impact of choices that they make and why young people go missing - It's important for young people not to think of homelessness as a 'taboo' topic - Nearly 122,000 young people in the UK approached their local authority in 2020/21 as they were homeless or at risk of homelessness. This equates to 331 young people every day and almost 14 per hour - Cost of living increases; substance misuse; exclusion from school; a lack of support after leaving care; poor physical or mental health and/or crime and gang involvement may cause youth homelessness - Relationship or familial breakdown accounts for 75 per cent of all young people becoming homeless - Some young people view homelessness through the lens of 'escapism' - without understanding the longer term impact/reality of this situation -14-17 year olds are most likely to be exploited by grooming gangs - An estimated 24 per cent of the youth homeless population identifies as LGBTQ+. This is compared to only 2.7 per cent of the general population. A huge thank you to Bidwell Fairlove and Hannah Collins for such an insightful, interactive and engaging session. Sarah Hale Co-op Foundation

Title: Breaking the Chains: Homophobia's Role in Homelessness Within the Queer Community and Queer Kenya's Call for Partnerships Introduction: In societies marked by homophobia, homelessness within the queer community remains a stark reality. This article sheds light on the connections between homophobia and homelessness while highlighting the efforts of startup organization Queer Kenya, which is actively working to address this pressing issue. Additionally, it extends an invitation for collaboration and partnerships to amplify the impact of these initiatives. 1. **Homophobia's Contribution to Homelessness:** Homophobic attitudes within families, workplaces, and communities often force queer individuals out of their homes, leading to homelessness. Discrimination in various aspects of life, from employment to housing, exacerbates the vulnerability of the queer community. 2. **The Role of Legal and Social Barriers:** Anti-LGBTQ+ laws and societal prejudices create legal and social barriers that hinder queer individuals from finding stable housing and employment. These systemic challenges contribute significantly to the disproportionate rates of homelessness within the queer community. 3. **Queer Kenya: A Beacon of Hope:** Queer Kenya, a startup organization, has emerged as a beacon of hope in the fight against homelessness among the queer community. Committed to creating positive change, Queer Kenya focuses on advocacy, creating safe spaces, and empowering the queer community. 4. **Advocacy Against Discrimination:** Queer Kenya actively advocates for policy changes and legal reforms to combat discrimination that contributes to homelessness. By challenging societal prejudices, they aim to create an environment that is more inclusive and accepting. 5. **Safe Spaces for Queer Individuals:** Recognizing the need for safe and affirming spaces, Queer Kenya is working towards establishing shelters specifically tailored to the needs of homeless queer individuals. These spaces provide not only physical refuge but also emotional and mental support. 6. **Education and Empowerment Initiatives:** Queer Kenya empowers the queer community through educational initiatives, offering workshops on essential skills, financial literacy, and mental health resources. By fostering independence and resilience, they aim to break the cycle of homelessness. 7. **Call for Partnerships:** Queer Kenya invites individuals, organizations, and businesses to join hands in the fight against homelessness within the queer community. Partnerships can play a crucial role in expanding resources, expertise, and outreach to create a more significant impact. - **How to Partner:** If you are interested in supporting Queer Kenya's mission, whether through financial contributions, in-kind donations, or collaborative projects, reach out to us through our email [email protected].

Homelessness is not simply a consequence of personal failure but a symptom of a deeply flawed housing system that prioritizes profit over people, resulting in a severe lack of stable, affordable housing that meets people's needs. Black, Indigenous, and Brown communities — along with young people, disabled people, seniors, and LGBTQ+ people — are disproportionately affected by housing insecurity and homelessness. A stark reminder of the historical and structural inequities that underlie our society, the court’s ruling will subject the most burdened among us to further harm and indignity. “Housing is a basic human need and an American civil right. What a shame to relitigate victories already won on behalf of all people. This decision underscores the urgent need for housing policy and strategies to ensure that everyone is safely housed, equally protected, and able to thrive.” Read the full statement here: https://lnkd.in/g5m-TwcT #HousingJustice #SupremeCourtRuling #HousingFutures #Homelessness

#DC #failed #to #house #98percent #of #homeless #young #adults #last #year, #data #shows #WashingtonPost #August28 "The #vast #majority of #young #adults #and #single #adults #experiencing #homelessness #in #the #District #remained #unhoused #last #year #despite #an #infusion #of #vouchers meant to address a problem that is surging in the region, according to #data #publicly #shared #earlier #this #month #by #DC #officials. The #stark #breakdown in #services that #target some of D.C.’s #most #vulnerable #populations, including #young #adults #under the #age #of25 and #members of the #LGBTQ+ #community, points to a #deep #disparity #that #government #officials #had #not #previously #revealed #in #such #detail."

I was contemplating the power of SCOTUS with these new decisions to claim themselves the experts on environmental matters and to criminalized poverty, mental illness, physical health bankruptcy, through the decision to allow municipalities to make houselessness and sleeping in public spaces illegal. The more power they have, the more power they take. More municipalities need to find ways to better care for the most marginalized instead of adding insult to injury through fines, fees, and incarceration. When deciders (those in power) use a racial equity analysis (lens) to make decisions, they are better equipped to center the most vulnerable, the ones they listen to least, and the ones most negatively impacted, SOULutions are found for all to benefit. My ask is of elected officials everywhere. Find humane SOULutions to the houselessness crisis. Don't further traumatized and harm those who are already living without safe, affordable, and supportive housing. #findSOULutions #Housingiasbasichumanneed

Greetings from all advocates at Safe Place! 👋 As we bring this year to a close, we have had a lot of time to collaborate and reflect on many national issues. Specifically, the issues that affect the LGBT+ low-income community. We are not at all surprised by the primary issues that still affect our community and for just a small amount of perspective we have included some data below to give you an understanding of these issues at a national level. *Please keep in mind, the national estimates below are well below the actual percentages of the DC metropolitan area, which average 24% higher. * Estimates based on public survey for respondents ages 18 and older... Financial Insecurity - 15% Mental Health - 19% Job Insecurity - 12% Housing Insecurity - 10% Food Insufficiency - 11% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, December 2022 Based on this information, within the past year the conditions, standards, and offerings have not improved for the LGBT low-income community. We are asking anyone interested in making that #communityimpact by joining our #mission in some way, to assist us in greatly reducing these issues. For more details on how to #advocate with us or #donatetoday please visit the links provided below. ALL ARE TRULY WELCOME! Join our mission (Volunteer or Partner): https://lnkd.in/eGjMj5eF Donate: https://lnkd.in/gnNyeWQg

Revisiting the homeless situation in Salt Lake City and the role of The Black Flag Project, a critical assessment of the city's policies highlights some gaps. While the city has made efforts with its expanded care and affordable housing investments, there remains a pressing need for more innovative and inclusive solutions, particularly for the most marginalized and vulnerable groups, including LGBTQ+, Jewish, poor, unhoused, or otherwise marginalized individuals【78†source】【94†source】【95†source】. The Black Flag Project stands out in its approach. Driven by the principle of personal autonomy, as outlined in its bylaws, the project emphasizes individual freedom and responsibility, underscoring a unique and necessary perspective in addressing homelessness【85†source】【96†source】. The project's founder, Brandon Michael Jeanpierre, emphasizes a think tank approach to drive solutions, ensuring that all proposals are peer-reviewed and fact-based, adhering to the highest standards of evidence and ethical considerations【86†source】【88†source】【89†source】. However, a significant challenge facing The Black Flag Project is the lack of funding. Without the necessary financial support, the project's potential to complement and enhance the city's existing efforts remains unrealized. This highlights a critical gap in the community's response to homelessness – the need for innovative, community-driven solutions that are adequately supported and funded. In conclusion, while Salt Lake City's policies towards homelessness are a step in the right direction, there is a clear need for additional, innovative approaches like The Black Flag Project. These initiatives, however, require adequate funding and community support to truly make a difference.

🏠 Addressing Homelessness in California: Advocating for Vulnerable Communities 🌟 Hello LinkedIn community, I hope this post finds you well. Today, I want to shed light on a pressing issue that affects countless individuals and families in our beloved state of California: homelessness. It is a complex problem that demands our attention and collective action. Homelessness knows no boundaries and impacts a wide range of vulnerable groups, including veterans, youth, families, and the LGBTQ+ community. It is a stark reminder of the systemic challenges we face in providing affordable housing, mental health support, and access to essential services. As we strive for progress, it is crucial to recognize the interconnectedness of these issues and work towards comprehensive solutions. We must advocate for policies that prioritize affordable housing initiatives, increase funding for mental health services, and strengthen support systems for those experiencing homelessness. But it doesn't stop there. We can all make a difference by supporting local organizations and initiatives that provide shelter, food, and resources to those in need. Volunteering our time, donating to relevant causes, or even simply raising awareness can have a profound impact on the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness. Let's come together as a community to address this crisis. By fostering empathy, understanding, and collaboration, we can create a California where everyone has a safe and stable place to call home. If you are passionate about this issue or have ideas to share, I encourage you to comment below and let's start a conversation. Together, we can make a difference and build a brighter future for all. #Homelessness #California #CommunityAction #SocialImpact #AffordableHousing #MentalHealthSupport #TogetherWeCanMakeADifference

Did you know, transition age youth (ages 18-24) experiencing homelessness are more likely than older adults to identify as LGBTQ+? A key contributing factor to youth experiencing homelessness is conflict with a parent, guardian, or foster parent. In DC, 34% of unaccompanied youth identified at LGBTQ+ in comparison to 9% of youth overall. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e8NfaK_T This is why organizations like Playtime are so important. We provide support to children experiencing housing insecurity with the goal of preventing them from becoming young adults experiencing #housinginsecurity or #homelessness. To learn about becoming a volunteer, register for our June 22nd training: https://lnkd.in/gGF_dfbX #playtimeproject #playequity #playforall #playmatters #volunteerwithus #volunteeropportunity #volunteeropportunities #pridemonth #PrideMonth2024